San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-12-06

cOlOT-the loose gown SasIed in at the waist
marVelOusly suited the slender shape--"it
woGid be a bad ending u an adventure"
(Which will make all the other fellows
Jealous Of you, said the General
"Sdns dOUlc," returned Beauregard, TAX
ing the vacant place beside Valerie. THE
storm Is much less now; 1t was hardly rain
ing when / came"
Then | can return home soon" said
Valerie, in u low tone.
mo hurry" he answered, cOolly. al
have sent my orderly over to Wexford with
message to your uncle"
"Oh! Captain Beauregard you should
nOt-and you didn't know where to send"
Il think | should; and the name would
be quite enough in a village"
81 told you he would have his own way"
said Mrs. Fanshawe. Max, ring the bell
for tea"
Valerie turned to her willful cavalier a
half-distressed, but very grateful, face.
ut was most kind of you to send" she
said. what message did you giveY"
That you were safe in bennington, and
the guest of Mrs. Fanshawe; and that some
time this evening you would be driven
home. Was that right"
les tnunh you so HluCn.
Tea was just then brought in. and Mrs.
Fanshawe, commencing operations, asked
Captain Beauregard what reply he had
brought from the Mortons.
Delighted, of course" he answered
1.-The two young ladies' pushed very much
about you; thought you most charming"
Indeed! Didn't they want you to stay"
They did me that honor. | am very
glad | didn't"
1--WE are going to give a regimental ball"
said Mrs. Fanshawe. in explanation, to
Valerie, "and Captain Beauregard. who
was on duty to-day, rode off when he was
free, to carry an invitation to Mrs. and the
Misses Morton, at Antwell Do you know
them"
''Only by NAME" replied Valerie, smil-
ing inwardly at the idea of the poor in
mates Of the Lines knowing the grandees
at Antwell.
''They seem nice people. hope you have
no engagement for the TIL of July" pur-
sued Mrs. Fanshawe, 'fOr | want you to
give us the pleasure of your company"
''ln' said the girl, almost catching her
breath, and flushing all over with delight
and establishment ''Oh! you are too kind
to ask me: but''-the sweet lips quivered-
the young voice shook a little-"I don't
think can come: indeed know cannot"
she added bravcly.
But you must" said Max Beauregard,
very low. 81 have promised myself three
dances at least"
"Do you mem that You have another en-
gagement:" lcd Mrs. Fanshawe, pour
ing out the tr.,, and not thinking anything
of the sort.
mo. Mrs. Fanshawe. / should like to
come so much. have never been to a ball
in my life. 1t isn't that. Only" said Va
lerie, with a choking feeling in her throat,
and something very like tears glittering
on her long lashcs, II have no one to come
with. My uncle would not go to ball for
anyone; and-and don't know how could
get here, either"
as that all;' said Mrs. Fanshawe, with
sunny smile. THAT little difficulty is soon
surmOunted; | cpn send our carriage for
you early, and you can come back here,
and 90 to the town-hall with us"
"Oh!' cried the girl, clasping her hands,
Il cannot let you do that, Mrs. Fanshawe."
Miss Herbert Interrupted Captain
BeauTegard, gravely, 'the resolution has
been put and carried mem. con- Tea and
cake are the next subjects on the paper
Allow me-" handing her the articles speci-
fed; and the General laid acaressing hand
on the girls golden curls.
eve couldn't spare yOu" he said. "Out
of the question. Why, you'll be the belle
of the balln D0n'tyOu give Beau too many
Dances keep some for the others, or there'N
be mischief"
So Valerie was obliged to yield-willing-
~ enough, it must be allowed. And, after
all, she was to have her wish-to go to a
ball, and, above everything, military
oall She admitted, in confidence, to Cap
tain Beauregard how much she had de-
sired this, and now her desire had come
about quite, as it seemed, by chance.
IF there is such thing rs chance" said
he.
What happy evening that was to Va
lerie! How often she looked back upon it
afterward with vain regretl
Louis Charters was somehow not act
ually forgotten, but relegated to the back
ground. Certainly Max Beauregard was
man more formed than simple, country
bred Louis to win a wOman's or a girls
Neutrality-suspicious. brilliant, a man
of the world, and soldier, who though no
more than thirty, had seen much service,
done brave deeds, and won glory in many
a foughten field"
Valerie was opening her young eyes upon
a new world-a world that seemed to her
very bright and dazzling, full of light and
color; and Captain Beauregard's voice was
so soft and finely mOdulated, and he talked
as Louis could not talk. OF course he was
IL 4 4 s,,t.l Ill In1
longer and more varied experiences; but
that only accounted for facts, it did not
alter them. Poor Louis!
But shortly after dinner (the stor,n had
long Ceased), Valerie asked if she could re-
turn home now; she ought not to be late.
You will be early il you leave here at
nine" said Mrs. Fanshawr "Captiin
Beauregarl is going to drive you over isn't
he? Your uncle knows where you are.
Shall John take message to your quar-
tiers, Max. to send up the dOgcart2"
'Thanks-yes."
The message was sent and at nine O'Clock
Valerie went up with Mrs. Fanshawe's
maid to be arrayed in her own garments;
but the Generals wife insisted on adding
thereunto warm mantle; and she took
the girl in her arms, and kissed her affec-
tionately.
''You must let me come and see you soon,
DEAR" said she; land you must come and
see me-"
And Valerie put her arms round the kind
lady's neck, and could only whisper, brok-
emily:
81 can't thank you'll can't speakn'
81 shall want kiss, too, you know"
said the General. This sort of thing
won't do, Miss Valerie; its putting STUN
hlinO-h blocks in Nnnr neirhhnr,s Nvnu